Gladstone woman Emma Green says she was turned away from the Rockhampton hospital several times, even after her full-term unborn son had died.

The State Government has promised a thorough investigation but under Queensland law, the coroner is unable to investigate still births.

Investigations are being carried out by the state's health department, the local hospital board, police and the Queensland Nurses Union.

Lawyer Sarah Atkinson, who has been involved in previous child death inquests in Rockhampton, says she hopes the investigations will be as effective as a coroner's inquest.

"An inquest is an open hearing, various witnesses are heard, usually it lasts over at least a few days, really gets to the bottom of significant issues," she said.

"There usually are expert witnesses involved in inquests, particularly inquests involving deaths in hospitals, and those experts are usually doctors who are independent and don't have anything to do with the hospital in question."

Mr Bleijie says he is considering such a change.

A spokesman for the Health Minister says the independent investigations by Queensland Health, the local hospital board and police will be thorough.

The spokesman says an obstetrician from outside the Rockhampton area will head the Queensland Health investigation.

Inquest powers

However, Ms Atkinson says government inquiries may not have the same powers as an inquest.

"If it's not possible to compel people to give evidence to this inquiry then that could severely limit the usefulness of it," she said.

Ms Atkinson says the investigation needs to be extensive.

"I've dealt with a few cases before involving Rockhampton Hospital where there have been inquests," she said.

"Those inquests have been really important in shining a lot on issues and driving changes and improvements because of the recommendations made by the coroner.

"It seems that that won't be able to happen in this case, which makes it even more important for the investigation to be thorough and independent."